My White Privilege - Or the last time I broke the law

A poorly constructed cross on South Table Mountain

On Friday, May 17, Barb Warden posted a picture on Golden Today of a cross on South Table Mountain (STM), along with a story about some of the KKK history associated with it. By Saturday morning, a neighbor asked if I would help him tear it down. I broke the law by riding my bike to the top (on public trails), crossing onto private land, and pulling down the cross using a rope conveniently left by the perpetrators. There is no justification for placing a cross on Castle Rock; it's tone-deaf, hateful, and inappropriate. So, I trespassed and removed it. If you didn't know Castle Rock was privately owned, that's understandable; many people don't. I have some thoughts on protecting it and other ideas in a different blog post.

Tearing down this hateful symbol required me to trespass. So be it. It reminded me of another incident involving public property. About 12 years ago, I noticed "NIG***S" (the N-word) pressed into the concrete next to a storm sewer cover. It was very legible and seemed directed toward a nearby house. After passing it for days or weeks, it really bothered me. One morning, I took a stone chisel, a hammer, and my determination, and I removed the offensive language. It might have taken two efforts to make it illegible. When I mentioned this to someone today, they suggested pouring a skim coat of concrete over it. I think that would have just filled in and flaked off, so I'm okay with my method. Years later, it is still weathered differently but otherwise intact.

Another trespass during COVID times

During the COVID pandemic, I trespassed again. I don't remember the exact date, but I walked through some unfinished townhomes that are now occupied. I was curious about the features and construction and didn't take anything. Even if someone saw me, no one reported it. People sometimes ask what "white privilege" is. That's an example; no one called the police on me or followed me, unlike what happened to Ahmaud Arbery.

Further trespasses for other goals

I have trespassed on CDOT property to pick up trash, as well as private land owned by Coors and others near Clear Creek. One time, I entered the abandoned building at 311 10th Street and gave myself a tour before the decision was made to tear it down. Walking the halls and atrium convinced me, with my engineering and technical knowledge of heating and cooling, that the building was a nightmare for energy efficiency and likely not worth saving. A later study confirmed my beliefs. Again, if anyone saw me, and I took nothing, it came to nothing. I was safe in my world.

Minor offenses

Have I gone over the speed limit? Sure, who hasn't? I've driven with one headlight at times but haven't been stopped for it. Like Obama, I smoked weed in college to get high—“that was the point,” as he said. I'm sure I could come up with more examples, but you get the point.

Reflections on white privilege

Much of this came to mind when considering the opposite experiences for Black Americans. Since the War on Drugs, and the discretion police have to stop people for minor offenses, sometimes for victimless crimes, I have a greater appreciation for the privilege I have that I did not earn but was simply given to me. An eye-opening read I found in my neighborhood mini-library has been on my mind.

Incarceration and its impacts

The book, well-written and backed by case law, explains how and why we incarcerate more people than almost any other country but do not have lower crime rates as a result. The impact on individuals is striking. A woman, (Clifford Runoalds) , refused to provide testimony in a drug sweep because she had witnessed no crime. She was arrested and charged with a felony for failure to cooperate. Eventually, all charges were dropped, but during her month in jail, she lost her job, apartment, furniture, and car. Really? The chances of that happening to me? Nil.

Obviously, writing about crimes and admitting to them carries risks. But somehow, I don't think anyone will take the time and effort to do anything about it. That is a privilege I have as well.